Marvel’s Most Demonic Hero Has Just Found a Partner – In More Ways Than One

Johnny Blaze, Marvel’s original Ghost Rider, has been involved in endless team-ups over the years, yet, has never had a partner on his crusade to punish the wicked. Although he was formerly a member of the Midnight Sons and even the Fantastic Four, Ghost Rider has typically been known for being a loner in his supernatural journey for vengeance, but after Ghost Rider #7 (Benjamin Percy, Cory Smith, Oren Junior, and VC’s Travis Lanham), that’s all about to change. With Talia Warroad, a member of the FBI’s supernatural division, finally catching up to Blaze, a new partnership is starting to heat up, in more ways than one.

Recently ridding himself of the parasitic entity disrupting his connection to the Ghost Rider with the help of Wolverine, Blaze is left to pick up the pieces of his shattered psyche and attempts to recover. Left exhausted after the knock-down, drag-out fight, he’s left at the mercy of Talia after she drugged him. But surprisingly, she’s not there to cause trouble for Johnny or The Spirit. In what’s actually a stroke of good luck for the often down-and-out anti-hero, Talia offers help to the former King of Hell, which Blaze accepts with surprisingly little resistance. Officially marking it the first time the legendary hero has ever had an actual partner, let alone a badge.

As Marvel’s First Ghost Rider, Johnny Blaze is Traditionally a Loner

Blaze is no stranger to being a part of a team but never before has he had a partner like Talia. Highly capable and determined to recruit him, Talia was able to drug him with fungal infected coffee and proceeded to peer into his mind. She familiarizes herself with the inner darkness he tries to keep to himself. Able to relate to his dark soul, Warroad remains unshaken and the two officially become allies. Blaze could even possibly become a government sponsored hero under the FBI due to Talia being an agent herself.

Johnny hasn’t had much luck in love, with his last stab at romance ending horribly after Blackheart tricked him with a fake version of Roxanne Simpson, his former partner. Being a Ghost Rider comes with a solitary lifestyle, but this recent alliance with Talia means he finally has a chance for actual romance. Warroad is adept in the ways of the supernatural world, meaning she can take care of herself when Hell comes knocking, something Johnny’s past flames couldn’t do. If this budding comradery turns romantic, Blaze has someone who he can depend on and won’t have to worry about for once. Talia also arrived at the perfect time, seeing as Blackheart has just resurfaced looking for revenge.

Johnny Blaze Has Finally Met His Match

Blackheart returning to make Ghost Rider’s life a living hell with the Shadow Country Conspiracy, means that Johnny is going to need all the help he can get. However, when you have a flaming skull for a head and punish the wicked for a living, finding someone to stick by your side is probably an uphill battle at best. Finally having a partner who knows her way around the supernatural world is a godsend for the Spirit of Vengeance. While it’s unknown what exactly Warroad is capable of, it’s extremely unlikely Johnny would’ve accepted her offer if he didn’t see something in her.

Now empowered once again, Johnny certainly has his work cut out for him if he hopes to survive Blackheart’s darker version of the Rider, the newly created Exhaust, but at least this time he isn’t alone. With a brand-new partner and possible romance, a new chapter in the Ghost Rider mythos begins, one where maybe Johnny can finally find some semblance of happiness. A dark and arduous journey awaits the demonic duo, but together they might just stand a chance against the forces of Hell.